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Is there a better hand signal to signal down? I just point to the floor when i say down

They have to learn the command before they will learn the hand signal...how do they know what the hand signal means? You can do it all together, but concentrate on getting the dog down...you won't be able to keep giving the hand signal if your tapping the floor...one the dog understands you will be able to put everything all together. My golden has a quick down, the GSD is still working on a fast down...she doesn't want to sit or lay down for a second, she might miss something

12-12-2012 02:28 AM

Andaka

I had an adult dog come into my classes for training that HATED to down. He had been taught harshly as a young dog. So we made a game of it. I put a great in my hand, under my thumb and pressed against the palm, but keeping the other 4 fingers straight. My hand would go up next to my shoulder as the signal to down, then would come down on the dog. If he downed, he got the treat, if not he was pushed gently into position. He quickly caught on to going down fast meant he got the treat faster.

If she doesn't know the hand signal this won't work either, she has to learn it, but she has to learn to lay down first. I would put her in a sit, tell her down(you can use the hand signal here, but I wouldn't over do it), when she looks at you like your crazy, bend over and point to the ground and keep tapping the ground(at first have the treat in the hand that is tapping the ground, she will smell it and try to get it) After you do this a couple times, she will start understanding the hand signal and the command together.

Is there a better hand signal to signal down? I just point to the floor when i say down

Ok i will try just saying the command once, and keep doing the hand signal. I've tried getting her all excited but when i have treats out she will do nothing but stare at my hands or where the treats are and she doesn't care if i jump around and go crazy or not lol

If she doesn't know the hand signal this won't work either, she has to learn it, but she has to learn to lay down first. I would put her in a sit, tell her down(you can use the hand signal here, but I wouldn't over do it), when she looks at you like your crazy, bend over and point to the ground and keep tapping the ground(at first have the treat in the hand that is tapping the ground, she will smell it and try to get it) After you do this a couple times, she will start understanding the hand signal and the command together.

12-11-2012 01:50 AM

Meeka

I like to have treat in hand, lure my pup down, then say down when she's down, click and give treat! then I would have her "stay" then take a couple steps back and walk back to her and click for another treat. That helped a lot w/her keeping her position. Then I would run and say "come" so she would run after me or another treat! Another way I have her stay down longer is after she's in the "down" position I keeping clicking every few seconds for keeping the position! What type of treats are you using? I've tried many different kinds and boiled chicken breasts works best for me!

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12-11-2012 01:08 AM

onyx'girl

Don't distract her with jumping/going crazy...just tease her up with the reward, it'll make the down faster because she'll want the reward faster.

12-11-2012 01:04 AM

coulter

Ok i will try just saying the command once, and keep doing the hand signal. I've tried getting her all excited but when i have treats out she will do nothing but stare at my hands or where the treats are and she doesn't care if i jump around and go crazy or not lol

If she understands the word, use a toy or tug instead...play tug, out her and then tease her up. Give her the down command(only ONCE) and mark it when she does it. Then start tugging again. If you say the command over and over it loses strength. If she is down in a straight posture, push the toy into her and say down/back which should make her bounce back in the down position. That may help her do it faster from a sit or a stand.
Ramp her up good to get the faster positions.
Edit, I see she's in teething mode, so tug should be gentle, but it still can be done gently if pup likes that game.

^^^Another good suggestion! I alternate between toys and food with my pup.

12-11-2012 12:36 AM

Lakl

Yes, try to remember that she's just a baby, and if it's not FUN, you won't be able to keep her interested. If you're just standing there holding the treat and saying "down" in a flat stern voice, she has probably gotten bored with the game. I use a high pitched voice, and move around and make a big deal when they follow through with the command. Treat, praise, rubs when they complete the command. Moving around keeps her attention on you and interest on what you're doing. Extra praise adds more incentive to the game. Some dogs need more to get them going.

12-11-2012 12:35 AM

onyx'girl

If she understands the word, use a toy or tug instead...play tug, out her and then tease her up. Give her the down command(only ONCE) and mark it when she does it. Then start tugging again. If you say the command over and over it loses strength. If she is down in a straight posture, push the toy into her and say down/back which should make her bounce back in the down position. That may help her do it faster from a sit or a stand.
Ramp her up good to get the faster positions.
Edit, I see she's in teething mode, so tug should be gentle, but it still can be done gently if pup likes that game.